26. Appeals M. VAT ACT

 

26.     Appeals
 
(1) An appeal, from every original order, not being an order mentioned in sub-section (2) of section 85 passed under this Act or rules or notifications, shall lie if the order is made,—
(For the above section 26 sub-section (1) the following sub-section (1) is substituted by Maharashtra Act No. XXV of 2007 dt. 06.08.2007)
(1) An appeal, from every order, not being an order mentioned in sub-section (2) of this section and sub-section (2) of section 85 passed under this Act or rules or notifications, shall lie if the order is made,—
(a)       by a Sales Tax Officer or an Assistant Commissioner, or any other officer sub-ordinate thereto, to the Deputy Commissioner;
(b)       by a Deputy Commissioner or Senior Deputy Commissioner, to the Joint Commissioner; -
(c)       by a Joint Commissioner, Additional Commissioner or the Commissioner, to the Tribunal.
(2) In the case of an order passed in appeal by a Deputy Commissioner or a Joint Commissioner, a second appeal shall lie to the Tribunal.
(3)   Every order passed in appeal by the Tribunal under this section. shall, subject to the provisions of sections 24 and 27, be final and every order passed in appeal by any other appellate authority, shall, subject to the provisions of sections 24, 25 and 27 be final.
(4)   Subject to the provisions of sections 80 and 81, no appeal including a second appeal shall be entertained unless it is filed within sixty days from the date of the communication of the order appealed against.
(5)   Subject to such rules of procedure as may be prescribed, every appellate authority (both in the first appeal and the second appeal) shall have the following powers, namely :—
(a)        in an appeal against an order of assessment, it may confirm, reduce, enhance or annul the assessment:
Provided that, where the appeal is filed before the Tribunal, the Tribunal may set aside the assessment and refer the case back to the assessing authority for making a fresh assessment in accordance with the direction given by it and after making such further inquiry as may be necessary; the assessing authority shall thereupon proceed to make such fresh assessment and determine, where necessary, the amount of tax payable on the basis of such fresh assessment;
(b)        in an appeal against an order imposing a penalty, the appellate authority may confirm or cancel such order or modify it in accordance with the provisions of this Act;
(c)        in an appeal against an order levying interest, the appellate authority may confirm or cancel such order or modify it in accordance with the provisions of this Act;
(d)        in any other case, the appellate authority may pass such order in the appeal as it deems just and proper:
Provided that, the appellate authority shall not enhance an assessment or a penalty or interest or sum forfeited or reduce the amount of set-off or refund of the tax, unless the appellant has been given a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against such enhancement or reduction.
Explanation. — While disposing of an appeal, the appellate authority may consider and decide any matter arising out of the proceedings in which the order appealed against was passed, notwithstanding that such matter was not raised before it by the appellant or that no order was made in the said proceedings regarding such matter.
(6)   The Appellate authority or the Tribunal, as the ease may be, may, while admitting the appeal, pending the disposal of the appeal, stay the order appealed against in full or part, subject to such conditions or restrictions as it may deem necessary including a direction for depositing of a part or whole of the disputed amount by the appellant.
(7)   Every appellate authority, including the Tribunal, in so far as it may, shall decide the appeals pending before it by such priorities as may be prescribed.
Provided that, if a person has attained the age of seventy-five years or more and such person is the proprietor of the business, a partner in a firm or a director having substantial interest in a company being a body corporate, then on an application in the prescribed form made by him in this regard, any appeal made by the proprietary concern, partnership firm or the company shall be decided on priority to the exclusion of all other appeals.